V6 Timing/Chain Maintenance

[SLED]

With past vehicles (cars), I've kept myself knowledgable about timing belt/tensioner/water pump maintenance.

However, with my anticipated T4R V6 purchase, can I assume the maintenance regimen should be the pretty much the same with the V6 chain-driven timing, i.e.:

- replace chain when displaying sign of wear?
- replace tensioner(s) and water pump about every 100,000 kms or 60,000 miles, regardless of chain condition?

Anyone here have any other specific/prudent timing maintenance tips other than the regular dealer recommended items? Thanks.

 

[peter78]

- replace tensioner(s) and water pump about every 100,000 kms or 60,000 miles, regardless of chain condition?

Now, I am speaking from past experience, but I don't think the water pump is driven by the chain. In all of my other vehicles with a timing chain, my first being a 1959 Jaguar 3.4 salon, the water pump is driven by a auxl. belt or a fan belt. Water pumps are usually easy to replace as they are not inside the engine, per se, but connected to it. It wasn't till the engineers came up with the idea of a timing belt, did they decide to put the water pump inside with the belt.

The concern with the water pump is that if it leaks, it can ruin the timing belt, which is a bad thing. If I am correct about the pump not being in with the chain, then I see no need to change it at 60,000. I would change it when it starts giving you problems. Hopefully someone else can chime in and tell us where the pump is on the V6. My guess it is connected to the serpentine belt.

 

[EH007]

Most timing chains outlast the rest of the engine in which they are installed. In the case of the V6 4Runner, the timing chain is very stout. You can see it for yourself by taking off your oil fill cap and shining a flashlight into the hole. If anything, timing chains may stretch a bit as they really start to get up in miles, but chances are you'll be fine for the life of the vehicle.

As for water pumps, the reason people used to change them during a timing belt change was simply convenience. Since everything has to be removed to change a timing belt, it made sense to save on the labor and change out the pump at the same time. However, the newer 4Runners (2004 and up) use a Toyota factory coolant that is non-abrasive to the water pump seals, therefore virtually eliminating the worry of having to replace the water pump anywhere near 60,000 miles. By the way, it was hardly ever the pump itself that failed, but rather the seals in it, causing leaks. Now with the non-abrasive, long-lasting coolant used today, there's really no reason to change a water pump unless it actually does fail. And that is definitely a rare occurance.

 

[jharris2]

The water pump is driven by the serpentine belt. The timing chain has nothing to do with the water pump. So, no worries on your part.

The timing chain doesn't appear in the normal maintenance schedule.

 

[SLED]

Since I haven't yet bought my 4th gen T4R, or studied yet the free manual I just downloaded, I'm assuming some tensioner device is keeping the timing chain in check on the V6 (as is usually the case with timing belts).

Wondering if anyone in here has had any timing issues due to tensioner(s) failing, and at what mileage?

 

[peter78]

Since I haven't yet bought my 4th gen T4R, or studied yet the free manual I just downloaded, I'm assuming some tensioner device is keeping the timing chain in check on the V6 (as is usually the case with timing belts).

Wondering if anyone in here has had any timing issues due to tensioner(s) failing, and at what mileage?

I have a 91 Previa with a 2.4 4 cyl. with a timing chain and I have not been told to change the tensoiner or anything about the timing chain. I know a few of the older 2.4 engine have broken there chains, which is kind of saying the car is D.O.A.

 

[Nuke]

Correct me if I'm wrong but we had to replace the timing BELTS and tensioners. Since the V6 has a timing CHAIN, I believe I read somewhere that there is no replacement of the chain required. This appears to be substantiated by the fact that replacement is not listed in the maintenance section.

 

[snowjay]

Since I haven't yet bought my 4th gen T4R, or studied yet the free manual I just downloaded, I'm assuming some tensioner device is keeping the timing chain in check on the V6 (as is usually the case with timing belts).

Wondering if anyone in here has had any timing issues due to tensioner(s) failing, and at what mileage?

There are no tensioners on a timing chain. Chains don't stretch like belts do there is no need for one.

The only tensioner on the engine is for he external serpentine belt.

 

[peter78]

There are no tensioners on a timing chain. Chains don't stretch like belts do there is no need for one.

The only tensioner on the engine is for he external serpentine belt.

A freind of mine had a Maxima and he said the chain was recommended to be replaced at 160,000 miles. He left it alone and sold the car at 285,000 miles on it. It was the one from the early 90's, a really nice car, the chain was still working. I wonder if the timing chain has any recommended replacement on our V6's. Would it be in our manual?

Well, I just looked, our manual has nothing about when to change things.

 

[Sydney44]

2008 Toyota 4Runner V6 - 92,560 miles on it
Check Engine light on, VSC OFF flashing, Traction Control on.

Took it in today and the guy says my timing chain is stretching. Says it’s too risky to be driving much. Could’ve swore these things lasted longer than the mileage I’m at....anyone have experience with this? The guy quoted me at $2500 - which is super high, I know. Gonna call around tomorrow and see what others say

 

[adventurecartograp]

The timing chain is designed to last the entire life of the vehicle on 4th gen V6 models.

I can confirm this is true as I recently sold my 2004 v6 Sport Edition with 265,308 miles and neither the timing chain or water pump had needed replaced.

The V8 versions are a different story, they have a belt instead of a chain and it needs replaced every 90,000 miles.

 

[Sydney44]

That’s pretty incredible. I must have bad luck or something haha

 

[rodsrunner]

2008 Toyota 4Runner V6 - 92,560 miles on it
Check Engine light on, VSC OFF flashing, Traction Control on.

Took it in today and the guy says my timing chain is stretching. Says it’s too risky to be driving much. Could’ve swore these things lasted longer than the mileage I’m at....anyone have experience with this? The guy quoted me at $2500 - which is super high, I know. Gonna call around tomorrow and see what others say

I would not believe that guy, take it to someone who knows what their talking about, he's ripping you off.

 

[earthrealm]

That’s pretty incredible. I must have bad luck or something haha

what ccodes where you having?..stretched timing chains usually go with camshaft and knock sensor errors.

using heavier weight oil and wrong OCI can stretch a timing chain

 

[techno]

My timing chain stretched at 120k miles, despite all regular maintenance. P0016 was the code iirc. In fact many it's becoming increasingly common for later model 4th gens.
$4500 was my best quote to get it fixed, so I did it myself for about $500 in parts. Took me a month of weekends, it's not an easy job.

 

[rwh963]

210k miles, original chain and water pump.

 

[Sydney44]

The code strictly read:

P0016
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A


I’m supposed to take it to this good friend whose a Toyota mechanic, he’s in Lake Forest (13 miles from my house). I was told I should be hesitant even driving it... The car drives totally fine, but I’m trying to be cautious.

 

[radlynx]

The code strictly read:



P0016

Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A





I’m supposed to take it to this good friend whose a Toyota mechanic, he’s in Lake Forest (13 miles from my house). I was told I should be hesitant even driving it... The car drives totally fine, but I’m trying to be cautious.

Could be just a defective crank shaft sensor. Replace that first.

 

[Sydney44]

I was told I could change the crankshaft and camshaft but I’m not sure which I’d do first?

 

[techno]

With P0016 you definitely have a stretched chain. Look up some YouTube videos on it, there's a really good series showing you exactly what's going and why it is not going to be a simple sensor replacement.
For a quick confirmation, pop off the small cover on the front of the engine and inspect the timing chain tensioner. I think you'll find it's nearly all the way out.
You're totally safe driving for a few months and if fixing this is too much work for you, then that $2500 quote is a bargain.